If you’re just beginning your breast augmentation research, you may be pleased — and a little overwhelmed — to know that you have many more decisions to make than simply choosing your implant size. I realize that the choices can be daunting for patients, which is why I recently added a page to my site which details the options for breast implants at my Scottsdale-area practice.

Factors such as an implant’s volume, shape, projection, and texture can all affect a woman’s results, and that’s why I believe thorough patient education is an important first step toward a achieving great breast augmentation outcome. The more knowledge a patient has about each of these factors, the better equipped she is come decision time.
Some guidelines for breast augmentation can be confusing or even counterintuitive. For example, while “high-profile” implants may sound like they’re good choices for women with larger frames, they’re actually a bit better suited to petite women with narrow chests, because these implants are smaller at the base. Similarly, the question of implant size is one I spend a lot of time discussing with my patients. Many are surprised to know learn that the same size of implants can look vastly different on 2 different bodies.

If you’re uncertain about the best implant options for yourself, I urge you to use online resources to educate yourself about different options that exist. Then I invite you to schedule a consultation with me, where you can learn about how each of those options applies to your unique body and goals. Together, we’ll work toward a solution that meets your needs and gives you the long-lasting results you envision.

]]>https://www.advancedplasticsurgeryinstitute.com/blog/choosing-implants-with-ease/feed/0What size breast implants do I choose?https://www.advancedplasticsurgeryinstitute.com/blog/what-size-breast-implants-do-i-choose/
https://www.advancedplasticsurgeryinstitute.com/blog/what-size-breast-implants-do-i-choose/#respondSun, 18 May 2014 05:56:55 +0000http://www.advancedplasticsurgeryinstitute.com/blog/?p=125Continue reading →]]>Choosing an implant should be an exciting part of preparing for breast enhancement surgery. For some it can also be an anxiety provoking decision, hoping not to decide implants that are too big or too small. Every plastic surgeon has their own protocol for choosing implants and I hope to further explain my process and hope to help you make a choice you will not regret.

Most Common Complaint?

More often than not, woman who undergo breast augmentation surgery say “I wish I would have gone bigger.” How does this happen? I think this is partly from choosing the wrong implant but also I believe the image patients are looking for changes after undergoing the surgery.

Many of my patients come in and say “I don’t want to look fake,” or “I want to look natural, just with more breast fullness – like before giving birth to my children.” This general concern for avoiding “too large” of implants can lead some to choose smaller than they are really wanting.

Furthermore, the first 4-6 weeks after a breast augmentation the implants tend to sit high on the chest wall. Concurrent swelling will give the appearance and feel of larger breasts. The overlying skin hasn’t had time to stretch so the person may just notice the implants more often than not. Over the next 2-3 months as the skin stretches and the implants drop into the more appropriate position there is a change, and the implants seem smaller than what they just got used to. I believe this is a major part of why women say they wish they would have chosen larger implants.

“My friend says to go at least 400 because that’s what her friend did and she looks great!”

I hear this all too often. Patients tend to want the same implant size as their friend or based on their friend’s advice to go bigger. This unfortunately leads to some poor decisions and regret. Every woman’s body is different and even their own breasts will differ to some degree. Your rib cage may be wider or breast shape and width may be totally different so even if you both had the same exact implants you can end up with a completely different look. The natural breast size may differ and this also will change the outcome.

My Recommendation?

In my office, the last thing I want is for you to regret going too big or too small. Recently quite a few women have consulted with me to exchange their larger implants with smaller. When I ask how they chose the size they unanimously have said their surgeon chose for them. I feel this should be a joint decision between the patient and doctor as only you know what you want. I’ve been married too long to even attempt at guessing what a woman is really wants. I use the Mentor sizing system which involves using shaped gel implants that are placed in a bra. I recommend bringing a solid color shirt, one that is a relatively tight fit, for your initial consultation to use with the sizing system. Then, looking in the mirror and trying on different size implants, you tell me what size you are hoping for. After taking your chest wall measurements and determining which size you like, we jointly decide what will best fit your body and give you the look you want. I give my personal opinion but ultimately you are deciding the size you want as long as it’s within reason.

Concluding Thoughts:

In conclusion, there are a multitude of factors that go into choosing the perfect implant for your body including: chest wall shape, breast footprint or original breast shape, hip size/shape, your overall goals, activity level in sports and a history of child birth and/or breast feeding. No two breasts are alike and don’t sell yourself short by choosing what size your relative or friend tells you, or even your surgeon for that matter. This is your decision and I only hope to be a resource to help with that decision. Call our office today to set up your consultation.

]]>https://www.advancedplasticsurgeryinstitute.com/blog/what-size-breast-implants-do-i-choose/feed/0Breast augmentation before finishing having children? 3 reasons to schedule surgery and 3 reasons to hold offhttps://www.advancedplasticsurgeryinstitute.com/blog/breast-augmentation-before-finishing-having-children-3-reasons-to-schedule-surgery-and-3-reasons-to-hold-off/
https://www.advancedplasticsurgeryinstitute.com/blog/breast-augmentation-before-finishing-having-children-3-reasons-to-schedule-surgery-and-3-reasons-to-hold-off/#respondTue, 07 Jan 2014 06:19:50 +0000http://www.advancedplasticsurgeryinstitute.com/blog/?p=95Continue reading →]]>This is probably the most common question I hear from women considering breast augmentation. Of course the answer will be different for each individual and it is not my place to push you in one direction or another but my hope is to inform you on what plastic surgeons know from previous studies and my own experience. In Scottsdale and the East Valley there are families with many children and often I see mothers who don’t want to wait until their 4th, 5th or even 6th child is born. We all know that pregnancy and breast feeding can have variable effects on breast tissue whether leading to flattening of the breast or breast ptosis (sagging). Because of this variability, even for the same individual pregnancy, there is no absolute way to predict what changes will occur with another pregnancy following breast augmentation. The most common worries I see when considering another child are: will I be able to breast feed and how will my breasts change after pregnancy or breast feeding?

Q. Will I be able to breast feed with a breast augmentation?

A. Many women in my own practice and in published literature are able to breast feed successfully following breast augmentation. Any operation on the breast does come with the possibility of affecting lactation especially when incisions are made around the nipple areolar complex (NAC). Peri-areolar incisions will disrupt some of the lactating glands so I typically recommend an infra-mammary or trans-axillary approach if my patient is very concerned about breast feeding. Some patients may find they need to supplement with formula although this is not uncommon with women who have not had any breast surgery as well. Theoretically an incision made below the breast or in the armpit does not disrupt any breast tissue as the implants are placed directly under the breast gland and usually under the pectoralis muscle.

Q. How will my breasts change with pregnancy? Will I need another surgery after breast feeding?

A. As I stated above, every woman’s breast changes differently with pregnancy and breast feeding. One patient’s skin may tighten up significantly following lactation to where there is minimal change while others may lose volume and develop breast sagging as well. More commonly I see smaller changes with smaller breasts but this isn’t always the case. Another factor to consider is weight gain with pregnancy or lactation. If a patient gains weight with or without pregnancy then loses the weight, breast sagging can be the result and a breast lift is an option for correction.

Most importantly, breast implants do not increase risk or pose any danger to infants breast feeding or pregnant mothers whether silicone or saline. Ultimately only you know when you are ready and you should not be pushed otherwise. I have many patients who decided they want their youthful body back now and are happy they did not wait while other patients who decided to wait until they are finished with children also are satisfied. Feel free to email or come for a consultation if you have any other concerns you would like to discuss. Below is a summary of reasons patients decide to proceed with breast augmentation and reasons to wait.

3 Reasons to proceed with breast augmentation

Better sex life according to a recent study from Brazil, specifically better arousal and satisfaction

Regain your youthful breast shape and better self image. Many woman get fit and feel great after pregnancy but unfortunately breast augmentation is the only way to restore breast size

Another pregnancy may not alter breast shape and many patients are still happy with the changes following birth. Breast implants have little if any affect on breast feeding.